TAWANG, 25 Aug: Fireside Tales, a collection of stories authored by Tawang Superintendent of Police(SP) Tasi Darang, was released on Tuesday by Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, in the presence of ZPC Leki Gombu, Kyidphel ZPM Tenzin Monpa, Jang ADC Hakraso Kri, Tawang ADC Rinchin Leta, Assistant Commissioners Tenzin Jambey and Thutan Wangchu, DVO Dr Avang Tamin, other officers, and guests.
Fireside Tales celebrates the richness of local stories, culture and heritage while seeking to pass treasured narratives and memories on to younger generations.
The book carries a foreword by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and has been illustrated by Mich Tarung.
Speaking on the occasion, the SP recalled a time when families would gather around the fireplace and elders would narrate stories, share experiences, and pass on knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation. He said those cherished memories and the traditional culture of storytelling inspired him to put the stories into written form.
He informed that further editions of Fireside Tales are proposed to be published, and invited members of the public to contribute stories. The selected stories, he said, would be published with due acknowledgement to the respective contributors.
Expressing concern over the declining habit of reading, the SP emphasised the need to revive and encourage reading, particularly among children and young people. He expressed gratitude to the chief minister and the DC for their encouragement and support, and thanked all the officers and guests present at the release function.
The DC commended the creative endeavour of the SP, and described it as "an inspiring example for other officers to engage in literary and creative pursuits alongside their official responsibilities."
She said books such as Fireside Tales would be immensely valuable for future generations as they preserve memories of the past and connect young readers with the lives, traditions and experiences of earlier generations.
Reflecting on changing reading habits, the DC observed that people today spend a considerable amount of time on screens and are gradually moving away from books. She expressed hope that publications like Fireside Tales would encourage children and young readers to rediscover the joy of reading.
Congratulating the SP, DVO Dr Tamin expressed the hope that the stories would travel from one reader to another, keeping cultural roots, memories and the age-old storytelling tradition alive.
The publication of Fireside Tales is an effort to preserve stories deeply rooted in the land, its people,and traditions through the written word. By transforming memories once shared around the warmth of the fireside into pages for future readers, the book seeks to ensure that the wisdom, values and voices of generations past continue to live on and inspire generations yet to come.
From fireside memories to printed pages, Fireside Tales is not merely a collection of stories; it is an effort to keep alive the cultural connection between the past, present and future. (DIPRO)
